Whew, got old, we made it! I recently had a brush with Melanoma. My brilliant skin surgeon successfully removed a largish skin blotch, one freckle had turned rogue. Now I have a reasonable zipper on my upper chest, but I’m still going strong, and managing independently. Fortunately, the medicos got the lot and were very reassuring. I can truly thank my excellent, vigilant GP for sounding the alert. I am totally impressed by the efficient and capable medical staff, supportive and calming.

So now, I must avoid skin exposure, and protect what skin I have left. My silver-haired sisters are in the same boat, we spent younger hours sunbaking side by side, with a sprinkler in the back yard, and later around aquatic locations. Silly hobby for white-skinned Australians. That was only one bad habit. Still, we are old, still here, we seniors have all matured like great vintage wine. Not getting any more skin blotches ongoing is one basic health precaution.

I have been reading all about ensuring the wellbeing of each person as we are ageing. Rest is important, so is balancing relaxation with mild exercise, dependening on mobility. Having had all my vital signs checked and literally good as gold, my focus is now on getting Slim for Spring. I am choosing healthier choice foods, according to weekly specials of leafy vegetables, home made broths, and light steamed proteins. This golden journey includes keeping up with gal pals and a couple of platonic male buddies. The older ladies who join our craft circle with the church mob enjoy sharing and learning new ideas, a group where time can stop for coffee and chick support once per week. We build bridges while we can, with kind, pleasant laughs. I believe that smiles are the best medicine, for tomorrow is promised to no one at any age. Social contacts can turn into new friends, always good to stay in touch, either online or face to face. Part of the fun for seniors.

For general safety around my comfortable unit, I have an LED light in the loo for nightly fun with these successful fluid tablets I am prescribed. I was born over seventy years ago in the suburb where I reside, and I am used to the random nature of the power supply flickering at any time when winds are stirring in the neighbourhood. So I always have a couple of bright torches at hand, with some batteries ready. I have a saucepan next to my gas stove, in case I need to cook, if there is no power for the microwave’s convenience.

We all need to slow down, pace ourselves, and remain optimistic. We all have a tendency to label each other, we can sound like our mothers. Males can be just as bad, there is no need, really. It is better to think, “From negativity, positivity can bloom.” In my past, whinging males could have married billionaires or policewomen, perfect match. I am sure such armed females would have been thrilled, to change such sulks. Too easy. Women really need to compartmentalize like men are known for doing. Anyway, baggage can drift away into letting bygones be bygones, obviously doesn’t matter now, or in a hundred years’ time.

Retired seniors can focus on enjoying this golden plateau, planning a daily routine of what they like, instead of setting too many goals. Some might like to take up what is known as an ‘encore career’, but it is up to the individual. For example, as a retired educator, I could edit or become a copywriter online, or study for more online degrees. Then the senior has to be hi-tech savvy, do assessments, and compete. I think I shall wake up smiling, and appreciate this recuperative stage of the golden plateau. Got old, made it!